HONEY, WE’VE GOT VISITORSSa-Hareth-brand
Cassandra tries to flag the future, gets left on read.
True story — and then, the dead come.
His offer neglected, a desperate Unhalad resorts to sieging the farmhouse in search for the mirror
that was previously on the Imperious.
He’s in for disappointment, while the party prepare for... house guests over the
early-morning 16 June to 17 June period.
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Around 3:30am (16 June) of a storming night, those who are awake or sensitive to the supernatural may hear the winds and fleeing rats whisper that something comes.
At 3:45am, Karsa’s wards around the farmhouse set off, briefly shrieking. Within minutes, Unhalad’s undead infiltrate the farmhouse, with one slight creature first entering down the kitchen chimney.
A small faction of undead remain on the roof, while a swarming majority circle the farmhouse. Throughout the night, they attempt to break in through doors and windows, making slow progress. They are warier of the forest-facing back entrances.
The attackers comprise droves of undead, some clearly only recently converted in haste. They are weaker for it. |
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Over time, the undead drip into the farmhouse. They lack the coordination for a concerted effort. Attempting to exit within the first three hours of the siege will prove disastrous, as too many undead wait outside.
The undead will seek a mirror, being first and foremost drawn to Winnie, who carries a similar item on her person. Fox and Five will also be of interest. Fox can escape attention by discarding the shards.
Any character that was bound to Anurr’s tree still bears the lingering marks of Anurr’s undeath is especially perceived as an enemy. Regulus enjoys the same treatment, given his extensive recent stay with the free people.
The undead will savagely wreck the house in their hunt, striving to kill those in their path. They can be slain regularly. The older, "properly" summoned undead (identifiable because of their clear state of rotting) should be incinerated or severely amputated to avoid further resurrection.
Because of the overwhelming number of undead, it is best to keep lean, mean and mobile within the house.
Karsa joins the farmhouse around 6am. She’ll teleport in, but the density of undead outside will prevent her from teleporting out safely. Alongside three party volunteers, she reinforces some of the wards, decelerating the advance of the undead. Her group will also throw away any of Unhalad’s markings (salt and ash) out of the house and into the inner garden pond. |
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Come sunset (16 June) Unhalad himself will ride outside of the farmhouse, holding distant vigil over the hostilities with his retinue. On his arrival, unbound farmhouse animals will flee into the forest.
Unhalad will be recognisable because of the immensity of raw power he emanates — a feeling of great and overwhelming despair and hunger.
Options to evacuate the chaos include sneaking out, fighting the undead, calling on reinforcements from any local allies, or holding position until around 8am of 17 June, when Unhalad’s last-minute forces start to disintegrate because of the haste in which they were summoned.
The minority of Unhalad’s forces that were summoned back alive with the appropriate diligence will not break down and will need to be banished.
The free people will not intervene, unless they are called in. |
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If you’ve made it this far into Sa-Hareth’s worst hazing ritual, congratulations. A few more days of crud to go.
Over the next few days before the 21-22 June departure, characters will have to make do with their shattered lodgings and dearth of supplies, or can seek sanctuary back in Sa-Hareth. Any money spent on accommodations will have to come out of the travel fund. You're on your own, kids.
The animals can return from the forest, and the free people might spare some food and water, gifted to those who stood out during Anurr’s trials. The Anurr cultists of Sa-Hareth could also part with a few provisions for their good friends, Xie Lian and Xiao Xingchen.
To opt out of the event, have characters out of the house on the night of the siege. It will be difficult to re-enter. The OOC plotting floor is yours! |
FARMHOUSE LAYOUT
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westwhere2021-06-14 07:23 pm
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"Thank you," he murmurs at last. Receding adrenaline has him a little more shaky now, but it's an immense relief to be able to sit down. That thought flits over to recall everyone who must still be struggling outside, and he realizes it surely had to be Lan Wangji who hauled him in here -- unsurprising perhaps to see the man has taken right off again, but with Arche in here that's one less person to watch his back--
His wound is healed, he should get back up, but he's not sure he can manage it. He'd just be a liability dragging himself out there in this state. There's enough coherent thought in him now to feel some embarrassment.
"Stupid..." he sighs, wearily.
"Should've... paced myself better. Never been in a siege that... didn't involve a few fortresses and Star Destroyers... someplace to retreat to..."
Another gulp of water goes down, a little desperately. He shouldn't go too fast, of course, he knows better, but intellectual knowledge is superseded right now by his jerky limbs and scattered thoughts.
"But he's... defeated. Maybe this is the last of them. Maybe there... maybe there won't be more..."
They can hope, at least.
no subject
"Rest," he advises with all the insistence of a medic that's repeated that same phrase dozens of times over. "The wristorative will help over time."
He laughs to himself, then offers Archeval a tired grin. "And now I think we can both agree I make the better nursemaid."
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"My bedside manner... is highly effective, thank you very much--..." He gives an indignant sniff as he dips his hardtack in the remainder of his water, then goes to start gnawing at it a little.
"...but we'd have been lost without you today. That's for sure."
His breath is still a little labored, the words quiet, but no less awkwardly sincere for it. He glances away with weary discomfort to stare at the items in his hands, nibbles a little more before giving up on it for now, setting food and drink aside -- just a little something in his stomach will do for now, and he's ready to lay down heavy limbs and follow the sensible advice of the medic on duty. If they're unlucky, he might have to try to spring up again at any moment -- better to try to replenish a little of his utterly depleted reserves while he can.
The presence still roils, uneasy, uncertain inside him. The king of the corpses hasn't spoken, a bit of a surprise after all the chatty ghosts Archeval has experienced in his career, but Unhalad is subdued for now and there will be time to deal with him later. Perhaps a little rest, a moment of quiet, will settle the creature as well.
Carefully, he shifts himself down onto his back right there against the rickety floor. The noises of battle continue outside. He can only hope their warriors have the matter in hand.
"Wake me if we're losing...?" he mumbles, meeting El's eyes blearily again.
"...or if you need two. I'll manage somehow. Don't make yourself sick."
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Although he knows the man likely doesn't have a choice when he couldn't manage enough to heal himself, it's a relief to see him settled down to rest.
"If we're losing," he promises, "..But I have faith in the rest of us. We'll pull through. Try not to worry."
no subject
Still -- one out of twenty or thirty. Much better odds than the good old Academy.
It's this wry thought that accompanies him off into exhausted, dreamless slumber at last.